Chapter 1: The Substitute

Emperor Li's frustration leads him to Consort Shu, but a surprising request awaits him. As tensions rise, Shu's desperate choice may change everything for both her and her servant, Yue.

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Heads bowed as Emperor Li stormed out of the courtroom, fury radiating from every step. Today, someone would pay.

His boots slammed against the palace's marble floors as his robes wavered like a dark tidal. The odor of ineptitude that pervaded his mind was too strong for the aroma of incense to cover.

It had been a long, exhausting day.

The officials had droned on and on with their useless ideas and debates, offering nothing but empty words while the real problems of the empire went untouched.

He'd had enough. 

"A bunch of useless cowards," he growled, his jaw clenched. "The empire burns, and they argue about grain taxes."

By the time he reached his imperial office, rage had bloomed into a full storm. Scroll after scroll slammed onto his desk — each a fresh insult from a minister too weak or too spineless to act.

"Why can't these people do anything right?" He muttered to himself.

With each scroll, his frustration grew more intense.

Soon enough, the evening hours rolled in.

One of the eunuchs, who had been waiting outside, stepped forward quickly, bowing low.

"Your Majesty," he said, bowing. "The hour grows late. Would you like a consort to accompany you tonight?"

The Emperor responds impatiently, "I'm not in the mood for this today,"

"Or maybe, Your Majesty, perhaps it would be good to visit the Empress?

"The Empress has been awaiting your presence. She has sent messages every day for the past—"

"No." With a strong voice, Emperor Li interrupted him with a wave.

The eunuch hesitated for a moment, unsure how to proceed. "Then… might I suggest Consort Shu?

"Your Majesty always seem to be in a better mood after spending time with her."

The emperor paused at the mention of her name.

His favorite concubine of all time, Consort Shu, always seemed to soothe the tempest within of him. She still had that influence on him in spite of everything, including her pregnancy.

He sighed, his anger slowly ebbing away. "Fine. Get the carriage ready. I'm going to visit Shu."

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In her chambers, Consort Shu sat on a wooden couch by the windows, carefully working on a piece of embroidery.

She held a tiny silk hoop in her hand as she sat close to the window. She stitched two koi fish onto a baby's blanket with expert ease. One gold, one black — yin and yang, in a never-ending cycle.

On a cushion beside her, Yue, her loyal maid, struggled to mimic the technique. Her thread pulled too tightly, wrinkling the fabric.

Shu glanced over and smiled gently. "You're pulling too hard again."

"I'm sorry, my lady."

"There's no need to apologize. You're doing better than yesterday." Her tone was warm — motherly, almost. "Just relax your hands. Let the thread flow."

Yue nodded, blushing. "Yes, my lady. I'll try again."

In a palace full of scheming and competition, Shu was like a breath of fresh air—gentle, patient, and kind

Her features, which include soft pink cheeks like lotus petals and fluttering, doe-like eyes, are as delicate as her disposition. She also has an ethereal glow from her pregnancy, which enhances her maternal, nurturing personality.

As she worked, Shu spoke again, her tone turning more thoughtful.

"The Palace Concubine Selection is next week," Shu murmured, her eyes still on the embroidery.

Yue's needle paused mid-air. The words sent a chill down her spine.

Every three years, the court brought in new girls — daughters of nobles, merchants, and even warlords — all hoping to be chosen by the emperor. For some

The competition was fierce, and the consequences of failure were high.

Displeasing the emperor could mean punishments for the entire family.

Shu's fingers paused as she looked at Yue, her expression thoughtful.

"I know this sounds pessimistic, but I can't help but worry. What if I lose the emperor's favor?"

"I'm worried that the emperor won't find me appealing anymore after I gave birth to this baby."

Yue frowned. "My Lady, you don't have to worry. You have been his favorite for years. The other consorts can't even compare."

"Besides, if you manage to bear His Majesty a son, he will be the firstborn prince."

"My lady would be mother to His Majesty's only son." Yue spoke in a comforting manner. 

Shu gave a slight grin, but the concern in her eyes persisted.

"You're kind to say that, Yue, but I know I am vulnerable as my status depends entirely on His Majesty's favor."

"And the reality is that the emperor's attention is fickle. He has a habit of growing bored, of drifting away, and then... well, you know what happens to women who fall out of favor."

A eunuch approached with a low bow before Yue could reply, and the door creaked softly open.

"Good Evening, Consort Shu. Please get ready for the emperor's arrival; he is on his way to your quarter."

Startled, Shu blinked. The emperor? Visiting her quarters?

Since she was no longer able to serve him as she used to, he rarely went to the harem.

Was something wrong? Was he angry? 

"Did His Majesty say why?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm, though her heart had started to race.

The eunuch hesitated, glancing down before speaking in a lower tone.

"He's in quite a bad mood tonight, Your Ladyship. Something happened at court, and he's upset."

Shu's eyes widened. The emperor was angry? That didn't bode well.

But she knew him well enough to know that in his current state, he would need comfort. And she... she was the one who could give that to him. 

"Very well," she said, pushing herself up.

"Draw the bath; I will prepare myself."

As the eunuch left, Yue stood, looking concerned.

"My Lady, are you sure it is wise to see him like this? It is not like the previous visits. You are now so close to giving birth. What if—"

"I'll be fine, Yue." Shu interrupted, offering a reassuring smile while resting a hand on her swollen belly.

"Besides, it is my duty to serve the emperor; it is not like I could reject his demands, whatever they may be." Shu said calmly.

But as she stood there, she felt the sudden kick of her unborn child.

Then a thought occurred to her—a dangerous thought.

A selfish thought that could possibly secure her position even further, as well as protect her unborn child.

She turned to the eunuch, who was just about to leave the room.

"Wait," she said, her voice suddenly sharp.

"Tell the emperor that I can't receive him tonight. I'm not in my best condition."

The eunuch blinked in surprise. "Your Ladyship?"

Shu's gaze hardened, her expression determined.

"Tell him that I have something different waiting for him." 

She darted her eyes in Yue's direction, "— a surprise."

The eunuch understood immediately. 

Witnessing this, Yue was shocked. She did not expect that Consort Shu would give her up to the Emperor.

"No," she said immediately, her voice rising in panic. "I can't… I won't do it!!"

"My Lady, please, don't make me. I have no desire to become His Majesty's concubine; I would never dream of taking him from you."

But Shu's gaze didn't soften. "You must, Yue. The emperor's mood is volatile today.

"His anger tonight could ruin us. If I disappoint him, he may turn cold. Not just toward me… but toward our child. Toward you, too."

"But if you serve him instead... it could help both of us."

"You will be able to secure a place for yourself, and I will finally have a friend in the palace. I promise you, I will treat you like my own sister."

Yue shook her head vehemently. "I can't, my lady. I'm just a lowly palace maid. I don't belong in His Majesty's bed."

Shu's expression softened, her tone gentle. "You are more than just a maid, my dear. You're gorgeous, Yue, and cunningly clever, and you are the person that I trust most." She says this while holding Yue's trembling hands.

"You could rise in the palace if you take this chance."

"Don't you see? It's not just about him—this is about us both."

Yue's eyes filled with tears as she shook her head again. "But I am not like you, my lady. I don't have your elegance... your charm. I can't; I don't have what it takes to please the emperor."

Shu's hand rested on Yue's shoulder, her voice turning soft but insistent. "Yue, you're the most beautiful woman I've seen. 

"Don't sell yourself short. You can do this. For me... and for my child." 

"Please..." she placed Yue's hand on her bulging belly. "You can do this."

There was a long pause. Yue bit her lip, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

But something in Shu's eyes—the desperation, the pleading—made Yue's heart twist.

This wasn't just about pleasing the emperor. It was about securing the future of her unborn child. 

With a deep sigh, Yue nodded, her shoulders slumping. "If you insist, my lady. I will do it for your sake."

Yue knelt down to the floor and bowed to Consort Shu. From tonight onwards, they will part ways as master and servant. 

She felt the last threads of her old life unraveling as she said the words.

The eunuch re-entered. Yue stood, her legs like trembling.

"Come," he said gently. "He won't wait long."